From Vernal Falls to Kipu Falls: Cautionary tales add up

If you spend time on the Internet, you’ve probably seen the latest tragic stories involving tourists and nature: Three hikers swept over Vernal Falls in Yosemite, and a look at the history of drownings at Kipu Falls on Kaua’i. And while commenters were still dissecting last week’s sad tale of a Marin man who lost his life at a Maui blowhole, three Marin teenagers were taken to the hospital after being pulled by a wave into a Tennessee Valley cove. The powerful forces of nature are by no means limited to Hawai’i, which we Californians in particular should appreciate.

And as the Marin teens’ incident shows, it’s not just tourists who sometimes misjudge conditions or their own abilities. The same week that a Sunnyvale man drowned after being hit by a wave while climbing a cliff above the ocean in Puna, a man from Puna drowned in a flash flood while fishing for prawns in Kawainui Stream. A 16-year-old Kea’au boy also drowned when his kayak capsized in waves near Kapoho. He had never been kayaking before, according to the report, which said he and two teenage friends were trying to catch waves when the kayak overturned in the rough water.

It’s difficult material to ponder when you prefer to extol the beauty of Hawai’i rather than constantly remind people to be cautious around the natural forces that created it. Still, my own caution has kept me able to return, and my own imprudence as much as others’ has made an impression on me. I’m still compiling a list of Hawai’i’s “trouble spots” that are particularly appealing to visitors, and words of advice on admiring them safely (or not at all), for the coming Aloha Friday column; mahalo to the readers who have sent their own advisories, anecdotes and/or photos in so far. There’s still time to contribute today, either through the comments field or by e-mail to hawaii.insider@gmail.com.

There are so many other wonderful stories to share about Hawai’i…but given the recent news cycle, and the urgent requests of some of my Hawai’i-based readers, the “safety first” one should be next.